Hello, I am the mother of a bright and active 10 month old and I work part-time 3 days per week. The rest of the time I am home with her. I really love quality time with my baby - she is the absolute joy of my life. My question is while I enjoy playing with her I often feel as though I run out of things to do with her. She's crawling and cruising everywhere so she is in that stage before walking. She is so curious and also has some separation anxiety so I usually can't walk away without some protest. While I can occupy her for awhile I feel as though I get tired and then she gets bored and I'm left struggling to find new things to do with her. Anyone have this little problem? I feel guilty when I want to check email or just take a break so she can play alone. I need some time to myself but it's hard at this age. She is also taking shorter naps so she is up longer during the day. Am I wrong for feeling guilty? And what can I do to keep her engaged? My husband is going to cut me off if I buy her anymore toys! Lol. Thanks so much for your advice
Thanks for all the great advice and suggestions ladies! It also really helps to see there are others that have been there or are there now with their little ones. I'm going to take notes and try all of the things mentioned here. Thanks again!!
I agree with all of the responses....and wanted to add that you don't need to entertain her all the time. It's good for them to learn a little independence. My 9 month old cries when I leave the room too but stops after a few minutes because she's found something to occupy herself with. Also, too many toys can be often frustrating and overstimulating. Less is more. :-)
Lynsey
Hi Kim,
I have a 12 month old and I remember the 10-month stage quite well! I could have written your post almost exactly! First of all, if she'll let you, it's not bad to let her have some time playing alone. I'm not sure if you have access to a car but what I found the most helpful at this age was getting out of the house periodically to break up the day. I found a play group near my home and took her there 3 days a week. She really enjoyed interacting with other babies at, or around, her age, there was different stimuli than what we had at home so she kept busy with all the new toys, and often I was able to chat with other parents and hang out...I was *with* her, physically, but it was a bit of a breather for me at the same time.
Good luck! Pretty soon she'll be walking and then the adventure begins!
That's a really hard age! Not walking yet into everything!
Try to incorporate her into your day/chores.
Let her crawl through the clothes that you're getting ready to fold.
Let her follow you around while you dust. Just talk to her a lot and explain what you are doing--especially if you're going into the next room so she's not so anxious.
You don't have to "entertain" a kid 24 hours a day--but it sure feels like it!
You don't need to do anything but what you would otherwise do. Talk all the time about what you are cleaning, cooking, dusting, eating...talk about what you see on the walks you take around the neighborhood. Sing songs and play peekaboo. Read to her everyday, and you only need a few books, nothing big or special. Wash old yogurt cups and let her play with them in the bath tub. Fill a large tupperwear container with corn meal and give her some measuring cups to play with on the patio, then talk about how it feels, say the word pour, say yellow...let her empty your pots and pans cubbord and give her a spoon. Especially if she is with you all the time, you just go on with life and tell her what you are doing as you do it. If she gets bored, that is fine and dandy, sometimes life is boring. Another lesson, and a reason to get off your lap and look at the fuzz in the carpet...then say fuzz...
You don't need toys. You don't need guilt. Put both on the back burner becasue they both come back to haunt you later...
Just enjoy her, she does not need anything more than your voice and the world.
M.
I have a 10 month old and work p/t 3 dys per week too. lol. But mine doesn't even know how to crawl yet or cruise on his own. I'm always guiding and holding him doing both. He loves Yo Gabba Gabba on Nick Jr.. I sit on the floor with him alot and go through his basket of toys, ball, leap frog things, banging blocks together, he love the my pal scout. He likes to play with the real phone and remotes too. I put him in the walker and take him for walks or sit outside on the picnic blanket and let him pick grass. lol.
I made playdates so I could have friend time and she could be with other kids exploring their homes and toys. It's summer - perfect for crawling around on grass and in sand at parks. Get outside, meet other parents, swing in the park. Find a splash park nearby your home - the free kind. Get a few CDs of songs you can sing together - I get tired of talking. Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Raffi, Mary Poppins; go to a local toy store; patriotic songs.
My son is almost one year old now and still sounds just like your 10 month old. My son has been crawling since end of 8 months and started cruising and standing on his own a little bit now and super active and curious just like your daughter.
What I do is that I would take him out at least once a day. Sometimes we go grocery shopping and he loves to sit on the shopping cart and look through everything at the supermarket aisles. I also take him to the park and have a picnic with him, more like letting him crawl all over the picnic mat. Other times I would take him to my parent's house and let him play there since their house is bigger. A change of scenery is always good if you have access to a car. I noticed that when my son is out and about with me he is less fussy because there is so much to look at. Also by going out, time goes by faster for me.
So my schedule is usually I play with him in the morning before his morning nap and then after his lunch I would take him out to do some activities and then we would come home for his nap and then after his dinner I would either take him out for a walk when my husband comes home from work or I would just play with him until bed time.
One mom suggested letting your daughter be part of your chores and that would help alot. When I fold my laundry I would sit him on the high chair and I would "talk" to him. When I vacuum he would follow me around the whole house while I vacuum since he won't play by himself when I do chores sometimes. I am trying to get him to learn to play by himself which is good for him.
You sound JUST like me! haha i work part time as well and spend most of my time at home. my boyfriend keeps the car.. because he works late.. so we are stuck at home most of the time. I take my 10 month old outside a lot.. a change of scenery helps a lot with being bored for both you and baby.. try going for a little walk... ( to check the mail.. take out the trash.. or just around the block!) My son is going through the separation thing as well. I can't leave the room without a tantrum.. and its really exhausting.. You should not feel guilty for wanting a little break. If things get intense for you.. put your child in a safe place and take your break! I do that.. and my son has learned to entertain himself for short periods of time.. allowing me to either do emails... rest on the couch or get some housework done! I have also bought him a few educational dvds and such.. and he Loves them! maybe try that..? ( of course not an all day thing! haha. ) Hope i helped a little!
